Somalia: UN envoy condemns murder of second lawmaker in less than 48 hours

22 April 2014  Following the murder earlier today of Somali parliamentarian Abdiaziz Isaaq Mursal – the second lawmaker to be killed in less than 48 hours in Mogadishu – the top United Nations official in the country strongly condemned the incident and pledged the world body’s resolve in standing by the Somali people as they worked to build a stable, peaceful country.

A member of Somalia’s Federal Parliament, Mr. Mursal was shot dead by unknown gunmen, according to a statement issued by the UN Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM), which notes that the fresh violence in Mogadishu also included the killing last night of a media worker.

Mr. Mursal is the second parliamentarian to be murdered in the capital in less than 48 hours, following the death of Isaak Mohamed Rino, who was killed early yesterday when an improvised explosive device planted in his vehicle detonated. UNSOM says that the Al-Shabaab militant group has claimed responsibility for both attacks.

“I am appalled to learn of the death of Mr. [Mursal] and I condemn his murder in the strongest terms,” said the Secretary-General’s Special Representative, Nicholas Kay, who added that he was also saddened by the shooting death of Radio Dalsan worker Muhammad Hassan Amar.

“The media must be allowed to carry out their work without fear of attack,” he said.

Mr. Kay went on to say: “I am concerned by the recent attacks we have seen in Mogadishu. We remain resolute in our support for the Somali people and their representatives as they work to realise their hopes and aspirations for a peaceful and stable future.”

“The people responsible for these heinous crimes have nothing to offer the Somali people but violence and insecurity. I call on the authorities to investigate these attacks and bring the perpetrators to justice as quickly as possible,” said Mr. Kay, who also heads UNSOM.

He offered his sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr. Mursal and Mr. Amar, as well as to the Federal Parliament of Somalia and the country's media fraternity.